EACH year, aspiring AFL Women’s draft prospects step up in their top-age year to explode into contention after perhaps previously being overlooked for state teams for one reason or another. The AFL Women’s Draft itself is still more than six months away, players have begun piecing together form across the country and we highlight a few names who are outside the AFL Women’s Academy and missed out on either state representation last season or their initial state hubs named at the end of last year.

Sarah Grunden (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
25/02/2005 | Medium Forward | 168cm

Grunden has been arguably the most eye-catching player in the Talent League who would not have been on any draft boards before the season. Having been on the Western Jets list in 2021 without playing a game – but now in the Calder side, the Keilor prospect has made a barn-storming start to her top-age year. Playing in atrocious weather conditions in her first three matches, Grunden averaged 18 disposals, four inside 50s and booted four goals. But her impact on-field far outweighs her stats sheet impact, with ridiculously clean hands at ground level and impressive skill execution and impact-per-possession.

Lily Jordan (GWV Rebels/Vic Country)
29/06/2005 | Medium Forward | 164cm

Jordan is a player who has not been out of sight and mind like Grunden, and is in her third season at the Rebels. A ‘moments’ player over the first couple of years, Jordan was a low production forward who might pop up now and again, but did not have the consistency you would like from a top-end talent, booting four goals in nine games. That has all changed in the 2023 season, with Jordan booting 10 goals in her first three games, and doubling her production rate. Though her performance in the loss to the Falcons was down on the offensive side, she got stuck in and laid 11 tackles. Has bolted in to be the top Country players this season despite not being in the initial Hub.

Brooke Boileau (South Adelaide/South Australia)
28/01/2005 | Inside Midfielder | 168cm

Boileau is a different case to the above two again, having been in the extended squad of South Australia’s eventual championship-winning side as a bottom-ager, but missing out on the final cut ahead of the national carnival. A move from playing as a strong forward to an inside midfielder has seen her go to another level, and at face value, while there are more polished players out there, Boileau’s overall game ticks a lot of boxes. She can kick on either foot, is courageous and strong both in the air and at ground level. Generally clean with her hands, she has an all-round athletic profile she has worked on, and though she might not have one elite trait, she has lifted all areas of her game and it showed in the first AFLW Under 18s match for the Croweaters.

Ella Slocombe (Claremont/Western Australia)
06/12/2005 | Midfielder/Forward | 164cm

A really impressive performer this season after missing out on the Under 18s squad as a bottom-ager last year, Slocombe has the natural traits that catch the eye. Plying her trade as a forward last season for the eventual premiers Claremont, Slocombe was able to have a season-high 16 disposals in the preliminary final to earn her spot in the decider, and eventually a grand final medallion. After missing the early 2023 preseason and the Tigers’ trip to Darwin, Slocombe has not missed a beat producing outstanding performances at both WAFLW and national level. Her explosiveness is what stands out, and she has spent more time in the midfield, while still being able to hit the scoreboard, as she has in three of the four games she has played.

Cleo Buttifant (GIANTS Academy/NSW-ACT)
03/05/2005 | Tall Defender | 174cm

The surprise packet out of the Northern Academies who have played in the Coates Talent League this season, Buttifant is a name who has thrown herself into draft contention while also playing touch football at an international level for the Australian Emus. Standing at 174cm, Buttifant unsurprisingly has that explosive speed to burn off opponents, while at 174cm can win the ball aerially or at ground level. She backs herself in, and while she is still learning facets of the game having come from that different background, she is one who the GIANTS might look very closely at as a project tall for the future.